High school football games now just one week away

Nobody is happier than I am. I love Football Friday Nights. I love the fans screaming in the stands. I love hearing the cheerleaders' chants from afar. I love seeing high school football players battling for their schools.

We at the Times-Republican sports department are nearly done with our preseason visits to our area schools. It is anyone's guesses at this point who the best teams in the area will be.

North Tama appears to have another roster ready to challenge for another state championship. Gladbrook-Reinbeck should be good again as usual. Marshalltown has one of the best QBs in the state ready to set more season and career records.

Blake Gimbel will get the chance to sling it another 400-plus times and it appears the Bobcats have a few new weapons for him to throw to.

Even some of the teams who did not fare so well last year appear to be headed in the right direction. We have several area teams which will be playing in the same district so fans and readers can expect to see several matchups featuring two of our area teams throughout the season.

Marshalltown will kick off its season next Friday at Ankeny. It can't come soon enough.